Position and Force Sensor Assembly for Vehicle Brake Pedal

ABSTRACT

A vehicle pedal sensor assembly for use in a vehicle brake pedal including a base and a pedal arm pivotally mounted to the pedal base. A sensor housing includes a non-contacting pedal position sensor and a contacting pedal force sensor. The sensor housing is mounted to the base of the vehicle brake pedal. A magnet is mounted to the pedal arm. The pedal position sensor senses a change in the magnitude and/or direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnet in response to a change in the position of the pedal arm for determining the position of the pedal arm. A pedal force application member exerts a force against the pedal force sensor in response to the change in the position of the pedal arm for determining the position of the pedal arm. The force sensor may be a piezoelectric element, a load cell, or a strain gauge.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority and benefit of the filing dateof U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/449,918 filed on Jan.24, 2017 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/449,927filed on Jan. 24, 2017, the disclosure and contents of which areexpressly incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a position and force sensor assembly for avehicle brake pedal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Brake-by-wire vehicle pedals use sensors that allow the position of thepedal to be determined for the purpose of applying and releasing thebrakes of the vehicle.

The present invention is directed to a new sensor assembly and, morespecifically, to a new position and force sensor assembly for use in abrake-by-wire vehicle brake pedal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a vehicle pedal sensorassembly for use in a vehicle brake pedal including a base and a pedalarm pivotally mounted to the pedal base, the vehicle sensor assemblycomprising a sensor housing including a non-contacting pedal positionsensor and a contacting pedal force sensor, the sensor housing beingmounted to the base of the vehicle brake pedal, a magnet mounted to thepedal arm in a relationship opposed and spaced from the pedal positionsensor, the pedal position sensor being adapted for sensing a change inthe magnitude and/or direction of the magnetic field generated by themagnet in response to a change in the position of the pedal arm fordetermining the position of the pedal arm, and a pedal force applicationmember operably coupled to the pedal arm and adapted to exert a contactforce against the pedal force sensor in response to the change in theposition of the pedal arm for determining the position of the pedal arm.

In one embodiment, the pedal position sensor is a Hall-Effect sensor.

In one embodiment, the pedal force sensor is a piezoelectric element, aload cell, or a strain gauge.

In one embodiment, the sensor housing and the force sensor each define athrough-hole, the force application member including a head and aelongate shaft, the head exerting the force against the force sensor,the force application member and the force sensor being mounted in areceptacle defined in the sensor housing and the shaft of the forceapplication member extending through the through-hole defined in theforce sensor, and further comprising a nut coupled to an end of theshaft for securing the force sensor in the sensor housing and applying apre-load to the force sensor.

The present invention is also directed to a vehicle pedal sensorassembly for use in a vehicle brake pedal including a base and a pedalarm pivotally mounted to the pedal base, the vehicle sensor assemblycomprising a sensor housing including a pedal position sensor anddefining an interior receptacle for a pedal force sensor, the sensorhousing being mounted to the base of the vehicle brake pedal, a magnetmounted to the pedal arm in a relationship opposed and spaced from thepedal position sensor, the pedal position sensor sensing a change in themagnitude and/or direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnetin response to a change in the position of the pedal arm for determiningthe position of the pedal arm, and a pedal force application memberoperably coupled to the pedal arm, the pedal force application memberincluding a head extending into the receptacle in the sensor housing andin abutting contact with the pedal force sensor and adapted to exert aforce against the pedal force sensor in response to the change in theposition of the pedal arm for determining the position of the pedal arm.

In one embodiment, the pedal force sensor is in the form of apiezoelectric element, a load cell, or a strain gauge.

In one embodiment, the pedal force sensor defines a through-aperture,the pedal force application member including a shaft extending throughthe through-aperture defined in the pedal force sensor, and furthercomprising a nut secured to an end of the shaft for securing the pedalforce sensor in the sensor housing and applying a pre-load to the pedalforce sensor.

In one embodiment, the base of the vehicle brake pedal defines athrough-hole, the sensor housing being located on a back side of thebase of the vehicle brake pedal and the pedal force application memberextending in the through-hole defined in the base of the vehicle brakepedal.

The present invention is also directed to a vehicle pedal sensorassembly for use in a vehicle brake pedal including a base, a pedal armpivotally mounted for movement relative to the base, and springsextending between the pedal arm and the base of the vehicle brake pedal,the vehicle sensor assembly comprising a pedal force sensor on the baseof the vehicle brake pedal, and a pedal force application memberoperably coupled to the springs and in abutting relationship with thepedal force sensor, the springs being adapted to directly or indirectlyexert a force against the pedal force application member in response tothe movement of the pedal arm, the pedal force application member beingadapted to exert a force against the pedal force sensor in response tothe change in the position of the pedal arm for determining the positionof the pedal arm.

In one embodiment, the base of the vehicle brake pedal defines athrough-aperture and further comprising a pedal force sensor housinglocated on a back side of the base of the vehicle brake pedal anddefining an interior receptacle for the pedal force sensor, the pedalforce application member extending in the through-aperture defined inthe base of the vehicle brake pedal and the interior receptacle definedin the pedal force sensor housing.

In one embodiment, the springs are located in a spring housing, thespring housing being operably coupled to the pedal force applicationmember.

In one embodiment, a pin couples the spring housing to the pedal forceapplication member.

In one embodiment, the pedal force sensor comprises a piezoelectricelement, a load cell, or a strain gauge.

In one embodiment, the sensor assembly further comprises a sensorhousing, the pedal force sensor and the pedal force application memberextending in the sensor housing.

In one embodiment, the sensor assembly further comprises anon-contacting position sensor assembly including a Hall Effect positionsensor in the sensor housing and a magnet coupled to the pedal arm, theHall Effect position sensor sensing a change in the magnitude and/ordirection of the magnetic field generated by the magnet in response to achange in the position of the pedal arm for determining the position ofthe pedal arm.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will be morereadily apparent from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, andthe appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention can best be understood by thedescription of the accompanying FIGS as follows:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a brake-by-wire vehicle brakepedal incorporating a position and force sensor assembly in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the brake pedal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the brake pedal shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the position and force sensorassembly of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a part vertical cross-sectional, part side elevational view ofthe housing of the position and force sensor assembly shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the housing of theposition and force sensor assembly shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a part vertical cross-sectional, part side elevational view ofthe brake pedal shown in FIG. 1 in its disengaged or rest position;

FIG. 8 is a part vertical cross-sectional, part side elevational view ofthe brake pedal shown in FIG. 8 in its engaged or braking position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a load cell forcesensor embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a strain gauge force sensorembodiment in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the strain gauge force sensorshown in FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-8 depict a vehicle brake pedal 10 incorporating a position andforce sensor assembly 100 in accordance with the present invention.

The vehicle brake pedal 10 includes a generally vertically extendingbase 12 defining at least a pair of through-apertures or holes 13 a and13 b, an elongate brake pedal arm 14 pivotally connected for clockwiseand counterclockwise rotation relative to, and in a direction towardsand away from, the pedal base 12, and a pack of elongate helical springs17 extending between, and in a relationship generally normal to, thepedal base 12 and the pedal arm 14.

The springs 17 are housed in a cavity or receptacle defined by theinterior of a pair of telescoping and movable opposed spring housingmembers 16 a and 16 b. A first distal end of each of the springs 17abuts against an interior surface of a back wall 21 b of the springhousing member 16 b. A second opposed distal end of each of the springs17 abuts against an interior surface of a back wall 21 a of the springhousing member 16 a.

The spring housing members 16 a and 16 b include respective elongate pinsleeves 23 a and 23 b formed on and projecting outwardly from theexterior surface of the respective back walls 21 a and 21 b thereof. Thespring housing member 16 b additionally defines a slot 25 b that extendsthrough the back wall 21 b and cuts through the sleeve 23 b.

Respective elongate pins 27 a and 27 b are fitted and extend through therespective sleeves 23 a and 23 b.

The brake pedal arm 14 additionally defines a bracket 14 a extendingthrough the slot 25 b defined in the back wall 21 b of the springhousing member 16 b. The pin 27 b extends through the bracket 14 a.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pin 27 b couples the brake pedalarm 14 to the spring housing member 16 b which in turn couples thespring housing member 16 b for back and forth movement in response tothe back and forth movement of the brake pedal arm 14.

The position and force sensor assembly 100 of the present inventioncomprises both a contacting force sensor assembly 160 located in asensor housing 110 and a non-contacting position sensor assemblyincluding a Hall Effect sensor 122 located in the sensor housing 110 anda magnet assembly 150 mounted to the brake pedal arm 14.

The sensor housing 110 includes a base 112 defining an interiorthrough-aperture or hole 114, a first elongate arm 116 unitary with, andextending in a relationship generally normal to, the base 112, and asecond arm 118 unitary with both the base 112 and the first arm 116 andextending in a generally normal relationship relative to the first arm116.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the base 112 and the first arm 116together define a generally L-shaped sensor housing 110.

An electrical connector 120 protrudes and extends unitarily outwardlyfrom a distal end of the second arm 118.

A Hall Effect or the like position sensor 122 together with othersuitable associated electronic circuitry (not shown) is housed in theinterior of the arm 116 of the sensor housing 110.

The base 112 of the sensor housing 110 houses a force sensor assembly160 that comprises a force application member or piston or plunger orelement 162 including a head in the form of a flat generally ring shapedplate 164, a bracket 166 extending generally outwardly from an exteriorface of the plate 164 and defining a through-hole 166 a, and an elongatethreaded shaft or bolt 168 protruding and extending generally normallyoutwardly from an exterior face of the plate 164 opposite the exteriorface thereof including the bracket 166.

The force sensor assembly 160 also comprises a force sensor 170 and aforce sensor jacket or receptacle or holder 175 defining a centralthrough-hole 177. In the embodiment shown, the force sensor 170 isgenerally ring shaped and defines a central through aperture 172. In oneembodiment, the force sensor 170 may take the form of a ring shapedpiezoelectric element composed of ceramic or the like piezoelectricmaterial.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 in particular, the force sensor 170 ismounted in the holder 175 and the holder 175 with the force sensor 170are located and mounted in the receptacle or cavity 114 defined in theinterior of the base 112 of the sensor housing 110.

The force application member 162 is located in and extends into theinterior cavity 114 of the base 112 of the sensor housing 110 in arelationship with the exterior face of the plate or head 164 in directabutting contact with and against an exterior face of the force sensor170. The shaft or bolt 168 of the force application member 162 extendsthrough the respective through-holes 172 and 177 defined in the forcesensor 170 and the holder 175 respectively. A nut 180 is secured to adistal end of the shaft 168 of the force application member 162 forsecuring and retaining the force sensor 170 in the interior of the base112 of the sensor housing 110 and applying a pre-load force on the forcesensor 170.

Although not described herein in any detail or shown in the FIGS., it isunderstood that the interior of the sensor housing assembly 110 containsand houses both force sensor and position sensor circuitry adapted forcoupling to electrical terminals extending through the connector 120 andinto the interior of the sensor housing 110.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 7, and 8, the sensor housing 110 iscoupled to the base 12 of the brake pedal 10 in a relationship with thesensor housing 110 abutted against a back exterior face of the base 12of the brake pedal 10, the bracket 166 of the force application member162 extending through the through-aperture or hole 13 a defined in thebase 12 of the brake pedal 10, the first arm 116 extending through thethrough-aperture or hole 13 b defined in the base 12 of the brake pedal10, and the pin 27 a extending through the through-aperture 166 adefined in the bracket 166 of the force member 162 and the sleeve 23 aof the spring housing member 16 a for coupling the force applicationmember 162 to the spring housing member 16 a and in turn then couplingthe force application member 162 to the springs 17 and the brake pedalarm 14 for movement in response to the movement of the brake pedal arm14.

As discussed above, the position and force sensor assembly 100 alsocomprises the magnet assembly 150 shown in for example FIGS. 3, 4, 7,and 8. The magnet assembly 150 includes a base 152 and an elongate rodshaped magnet 154 extending outwardly from the base 152. The magnetassembly 150, and more specifically the base 152 thereof, is mounted toan upper end 14 b of the brake pedal arm 14 opposite the lower endthereof including the brake pedal pad 14 c in a relationship with therod shaped magnet 154 extending generally normally outwardly from thebrake pedal arm 14 in the direction of the base 12 of the brake pedal 10and in a relationship and position generally opposite and spaced fromand not in contact with the arm 116 of the force and position sensorassembly 110.

The operation of the brake pedal 10, and more specifically the operationof the force and position sensor assembly 100 of the present invention,will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 7 shows the brake pedal 10, and more specifically the brake pedal14 thereof, in its disengaged or rest position with no braking forceapplied to the brake pedal 14.

FIG. 8 shows the brake pedal 10, and more specifically the brake pedal14 thereof, in its engaged, depressed, braking position following thepivotal clockwise movement of the brake pedal 14 in the directiontowards the base 12 of the brake pedal 10 in response to the applicationof a foot force against the pedal foot pad 14 c.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, and as a result of the couplingof the brake pedal arm 14 to the spring housing member 16 b via thecoupling pin 27 b, the depression or engagement of the brake pedal 10and the resultant clockwise rotation thereof, causes the inward movementof the spring housing member 16 b in the direction of the base 12 of thebrake pedal 10.

The inward movement of the spring housing member 16 b in turn results inthe compression of the springs 16 a housed therein which in turn causesthe distal end of the springs 16 a to exert a force against the backwall 21 a of the spring housing member 16 a which in turn results in theinward movement of the spring housing member 16 a.

Thereafter, in accordance with the present invention, and by virtue ofthe coupling of the spring housing member 16 a to the bracket 166 of theforce application member 162 via the pin 27 a, the inward movement ofthe spring housing member 16 a, and more specifically the inwardmovement of the back wall 21 a thereof in the direction of the base 12of the brake pedal 10, results in the inward movement of the forceapplication member 162 which causes the plate 164 of the forceapplication member 162 to exert a force against the sensor 170 therebyresulting in a deformation or bending or compression of the sensor 170.

The deformation or bending or compression of the sensor 170, i.e., thechange in the shape or thickness of the sensor 170, generates a changein one or more of the electrical properties of the sensor 170 whichchange is sensed by electronic circuitry associated with the sensor 170and housed within the interior of the sensor housing 110 to allow thedetermination and measurement of the position of the brake pedal arm 14and initiate a response such as, for example, the braking of a vehicleand activation of the vehicle brake lights.

As also shown in FIG. 8, the movement of the brake pedal arm 14 in thedirection of the base 12 of the brake pedal 10 also causes the movementof the magnet member 150, and more specifically the movement of themagnet 154 thereof relative to the position sensor arm 116 and, stillmore specifically, the movement of the magnet 154 relative to the HallEffect sensor 122 located in the interior of the arm 116 of the sensorhousing 110 which in turn results in a change in the magnitude and/ordirection of the magnetic field generated by the magnet 154 which changeis sensed by the Hall Effect sensor 122 and used to generate electricalsignals which, via suitable electronic circuitry associated therewithand housed in the interior of the arm 116 of the sensor housing 110,also allows for the determination and measurement of the position of thebrake pedal arm 14 and initiate a response such as for example thebraking of a vehicle and activation of the vehicle brake lights.

In accordance with the present invention, the incorporation of both acontacting force sensor assembly 160 and a non-contacting positionsensor assembly 122, 150 in the brake pedal 10 allows for redundantmeasurements of the position of the brake pedal arm 14 and, morespecifically, allows for the measurement of the position of the brakepedal arm 14 and thus braking of the vehicle even if the force sensorassembly 160 or the position sensor assembly 122, 150 becomesinoperable.

Moreover, the use of both a contacting force sensor assembly 160 and anon-contacting position sensor assembly 122, 150 in the brake pedal 10allows for the detection and measurement of brake pedal positions ofdiffering magnitudes depending on a particular application or need.

For example, the force sensor 170, by virtue of its direct contact withthe brake pedal arm 14 via the spring housings 16 a and 16 b and furtherby virtue of its direct contact with the force application member 162,allows for the detection and measurement of changes in the position ofthe brake pedal arm 14 that may not be otherwise be detectable by thenon-contacting position sensor assembly 122, 150.

Numerous variations and modifications of the brake pedal sensor assembly100 of the present invention as described above may be effected withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the novel features of theinvention. It is to be understood that no limitations with respect tothe specific brake pedal sensor assembly 100 illustrated herein areintended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover bythe appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope ofthe claims.

For example, it is understood that the force sensor assembly 160 and inparticular the force sensor 170 thereof may be one of several differentembodiments depending upon the particular application including, forexample, the force sensor assembly embodiment 260 and I-beam shaped loadcell embodiment 270 shown in FIG. 11 and the strain gauge embodiment 370shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Referring to FIG. 11, the force sensor assembly 260 comprises a forceapplication member or plunger or piston or element 262 including a headin the form of a flat generally ring shaped plate 264, a bracket 266extending generally outwardly from an exterior face of the plate 264 anddefining a through-hole 266 a, and an elongate threaded shaft or bolt268 protruding and extending generally normally outwardly from theexterior face of the plate 264 opposite the exterior face thereofincluding the bracket 266.

The force sensor assembly 260 also comprises a force sensor 270 which,in the embodiment is in the form of an I-beam shaped load cell defininga central through-hole or aperture 273.

The I-beam shaped load cell 270 is mounted in the receptacle or cavity114 defined in the interior of the base 112 of the sensor housing 110.

The force application member 262 is coupled to and mounted to the base112 of the sensor housing 110 in a relationship with an exterior face ofthe head 264 thereof abutted against the exterior face of the I-beamload cell 270 and with the shaft or bolt 268 thereof extending throughthe respective through-holes 272 and 114 defined in the load cell 270and the base 212 respectively and terminating in an end extendingoutwardly from the base 212 of the sensor housing 210. A nut 280 issecured to the distal end of the shaft 268 of the force member 262 forsecuring the load cell 270 in the sensor housing base 112 and applying apre-load force on the load cell 270.

FIGS. 10 and 11 depict a strain gauge force sensor embodiment 370 in theform of a disc adapted to be mounted within the interior of a ringshaped holder 372 and then subsequently mounted into the interior of thebase 112 of the sensor housing 110 as described above with respect tothe force sensor 170, the description of which is incorporated herein byreference.

In accordance with this embodiment, the strain gauge 370 includesopposed exterior faces 370 a and 370 b with the exterior surface 370 badapted for direct abutting contact with and against the head 164 of theforce application member 166 and the opposed exterior surface 370 aincluding electronic circuitry 380 adapted for sensing and measuring themagnitude and/or location of strains in the strain gauge 370 in responseto the application of a direct contact force thereto by the forceapplication element 166.

Still further, it is understood that the present invention includesembodiments, depending on the application, including only the contactingforce sensor assemblies for measuring the position of the brake pedal.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle pedal sensor assembly for use in avehicle brake pedal including a base and a pedal arm pivotally mountedto the pedal base, the vehicle sensor assembly comprising: a sensorhousing including a non-contacting pedal position sensor and acontacting pedal force sensor, the sensor housing being mounted to thebase of the vehicle brake pedal; a magnet mounted to the pedal arm in arelationship opposed and spaced from the pedal position sensor, thepedal position sensor being adapted for sensing a change in themagnitude and/or direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnetin response to a change in the position of the pedal arm for determiningthe position of the pedal arm; and a pedal force application memberoperably coupled to the pedal arm and adapted to exert a contact forceagainst the pedal force sensor in response to the change in the positionof the pedal arm for determining the position of the pedal arm.
 2. Thevehicle pedal sensor assembly of claim 1 wherein the pedal positionsensor is a Hall-Effect sensor.
 3. The vehicle pedal sensor assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the pedal force sensor is a piezoelectric element, aload cell, or a strain gauge.
 4. The vehicle pedal sensor assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the sensor housing and the force sensor each define athrough-hole, the force application member including a head and aelongate shaft, the head exerting the force against the force sensor,the force application member and the force sensor being mounted in areceptacle defined in the sensor housing and the shaft of the forceapplication member extending through the through-hole defined in theforce sensor, and further comprising a nut coupled to an end of theshaft for securing the force sensor in the sensor housing and applying apre-load to the force sensor.
 5. A vehicle pedal sensor assembly for usein a vehicle brake pedal including a base and a pedal arm pivotallymounted to the pedal base, the vehicle sensor assembly comprising: asensor housing including a pedal position sensor and defining aninterior receptacle for a pedal force sensor, the sensor housing beingmounted to the base of the vehicle brake pedal; a magnet mounted to thepedal arm in a relationship opposed and spaced from the pedal positionsensor, the pedal position sensor sensing a change in the magnitudeand/or direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnet inresponse to a change in the position of the pedal arm for determiningthe position of the pedal arm; and a pedal force application memberoperably coupled to the pedal arm, the pedal force application memberincluding a head extending into the receptacle in the sensor housing andin abutting contact with the pedal force sensor and adapted to exert aforce against the pedal force sensor in response to the change in theposition of the pedal arm for determining the position of the pedal arm.6. The vehicle pedal sensor assembly of claim 5 wherein the pedal forcesensor is in the form of a piezoelectric element, a load cell, or astrain gauge.
 7. The vehicle pedal sensor assembly of claim 5 whereinthe pedal force sensor defines a through-aperture, the pedal forceapplication member including a shaft extending through thethrough-aperture defined in the pedal force sensor, and furthercomprising a nut secured to an end of the shaft for securing the pedalforce sensor in the sensor housing and applying a pre-load to the pedalforce sensor.
 8. The vehicle pedal sensor assembly of claim 6 whereinthe base of the vehicle brake pedal defines a through-hole, the sensorhousing being located on a back side of the base of the vehicle brakepedal and the pedal force application member extending in thethrough-hole defined in the base of the vehicle brake pedal.
 9. Avehicle pedal sensor assembly for use in a vehicle brake pedal includinga base, a pedal arm pivotally mounted for movement relative to the base,and springs extending between the pedal arm and the base of the vehiclebrake pedal, the vehicle sensor assembly comprising: a pedal forcesensor on the base of the vehicle brake pedal; a pedal force applicationmember operably coupled to the springs and in abutting relationship withthe pedal force sensor, the springs being adapted to directly orindirectly exert a force against the pedal force application member inresponse to the movement of the pedal arm, the pedal force applicationmember being adapted to exert a force against the pedal force sensor inresponse to the change in the position of the pedal arm for determiningthe position of the pedal arm.
 10. The vehicle pedal sensor assembly ofclaim 9 wherein the base of the vehicle brake pedal defines athrough-aperture and further comprising a pedal force sensor housinglocated on a back side of the base of the vehicle brake pedal anddefining an interior receptacle for the pedal force sensor, the pedalforce application member extending in the through-aperture defined inthe base of the vehicle brake pedal and the interior receptacle definedin the pedal force sensor housing.
 11. The vehicle pedal assembly ofclaim 9 wherein the springs are located in a spring housing, the springhousing being operably coupled to the pedal force application member.12. The vehicle pedal assembly of claim 11 wherein a pin couples thespring housing to the pedal force application member.
 13. The vehiclepedal assembly of claim 9 wherein the pedal force sensor comprises apiezoelectric element, a load cell, or a strain gauge.
 14. The vehiclepedal assembly of claim 9 further comprising a sensor housing, the pedalforce sensor and the pedal force application member extending in thesensor housing.
 15. The vehicle pedal assembly of claim 14 furthercomprising a non-contacting position sensor assembly including a HallEffect position sensor in the sensor housing and a magnet coupled to thepedal arm, the Hall Effect position sensor sensing a change in themagnitude and/or direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnetin response to a change in the position of the pedal arm for determiningthe position of the pedal arm.